Guerrilla announces Horizon Hunters Gathering co-op game for PS5 and PC

Guerrilla has announced Horizon Hunters Gathering, a tactical 3-player co-op action game set in the Horizon universe, according to the studio's announcement on the PlayStation Blog. The game will launch on PS5 and PC with cross-play and cross-progression support, though no specific release date has been confirmed. Game Director Arjan Bak described the announcement as "a monumental step for Guerrilla as a studio", revealing that cooperative gameplay has been part of the team's vision since the original Horizon concept.

A new direction for the Horizon franchise

Horizon Hunters Gathering represents Guerrilla's first foray into cooperative multiplayer within the expanding Horizon universe. The game focuses on tactical, skill-based combat where up to three players team up as Hunters to battle deadly machines. "With the very first ideas that shaped the world of Horizon, we dreamed of players hunting machines together," Bak explained in the announcement.

The game draws on Guerrilla's experience from the Killzone multiplayer titles whilst maintaining the tactical precision that defined the single-player Horizon games. Players can choose from a roster of uniquely skilled Hunters, each with distinct melee or ranged playstyles, and customise their builds using a rogue-lite perk system.

Two game modes revealed for closed playtest

Guerrilla unveiled two core game modes that will feature in the upcoming closed playtest. Machine Incursion is a high-intensity mission where waves of machines emerge from underground gateways, culminating in a formidable boss encounter. The second mode, Cauldron Descent, offers a longer multi-stage trial with ever-changing rooms that challenge teams through brutal machine encounters and hidden doors offering rewards.

Both modes will be available in the closed playtest scheduled for the end of February through the PlayStation Beta Program. The playtest will be available on both PS5 and PC, allowing Guerrilla to test the game's cross-platform functionality ahead of full release. Players can sign up via the PlayStation Beta Program to participate.

Canon story and social features

The game will feature a narrative campaign that Guerrilla describes as "fully canon" to the Horizon universe, introducing new mysteries, characters, and threats. The studio emphasises that the story won't end at launch, suggesting ongoing content updates. However, specific details about the campaign remain under wraps.

Between missions, players will return to Hunters Gathering, a social hub where they can customise their Hunters, visit vendors, upgrade gear, and team up for adventures. The hub serves as the central meeting point for the game's community features, though Guerrilla hasn't detailed how extensive these social elements will be.

Cross-platform features confirmed

Horizon Hunters Gathering will support cross-play between PS5 and PC, allowing friends on different platforms to hunt together. The game also features cross-progression when players use the same PlayStation account across platforms. This makes it one of several major PlayStation titles embracing cross-platform functionality.

Guerrilla has established a dedicated Discord server for the game and promises regular development updates and playtest announcements in the coming months. The studio hasn't announced whether the game will feature additional platforms beyond PS5 and PC at launch.

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